Are diamonds cheaper on a cruise ship given the tax-free status?

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phantom_of_valkyrie

I am a frequent cruise ship diamond buyer and let me tell you the prices are WAY cheaper. These people that tell you to buy it at home have never priced it.

The Caribbean is the headquarters of Diamonds International, Columbia Emeralds, and Tanzanite International. They have a larger selection than most of the country (outside of NYC). For example when I go diamond shopping here and I'm looking for a truly high quality diamond (like at least a S1 with an E in color) your average store will only have one or two. You'd have to drive all over the east coast to find 15 in that range. That's why people recommend going to Diamond Expos.

However the DI stores will have close to 15 in that range.

Now true--for people not picky on diamonds it probably isn't a big savings. A J or K in color, and/or an I in clarity (I1, I2, or I3), can only get so cheap you know. So it probably is the best price you can get simply b/c you don't have people who go to the Caribbean to buy an imperfect diamond. The clarity--anything below S2 can be seen with the naked eye. With color--a G can be seen with the naked eye. The things above that will be much cheaper in the Caribbean.

I shop nearly every time for some gemstone or another. You want to buy at the ones I mentioned--DI, TI, or CE, rather than on ship though. They don't have the selection on ship and Diamonds International ensures their quality and if you go to another island and find a better one, you can trade it in right then and there for what you paid so you don't have to worry about that.

dave.greg

If it's worth buying by it at home.
If you are a top expert maybe you can get a deal. But when your home is a 1000 miles away or 2000 or 4000 miles and you find out that the great deal wasn't so great,,, what do you do?
Go to a shop near home maybe pay a little more but be sure of the quality

purple face. =]

At your ports of call (caribbean islands are the best) will be cheapest. they usually are cheaper on the ship.

Barkley Hound

The price of jewelry is much cheaper. I bought a $380 watch which had a lowest price on the internet of $260. I paid $190 (and no tax or shipping).

The only way you might get a better deal on diamonds or precious metals it to go to one of the small diamond exchange jewelers. You will also have a much larger choice and experts to help you.

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bored brunette

I'm not a diamond buyer, but overall I haven't really seen cruise lines discount much of anything over what I can get here at home.

I cruise fairly often, and while I haven't heard bad things about the onboard jewelry, neither have I heard much bragging about bargains. However, more than once I've heard of passengers getting 'taken' by port jewelry stores, even the ones which are recommended at the port-shopping talks onboard. I would steer clear of those.

Time travler

Some cruise ships will guarantee your purchases either on the ship or purchases that the cruise ship recommends. The guarantee means that you get what you pay for and not a cheap imitation. I bought a rolex in a port, but my brother who is a expert on Rolex's was with me. We go ta great deal. So, the bottom line is if you know what your doing, then go ahead a buy you diamond on the ship or in the port, but only if you know what your doing.

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